ICE 56ST, the new super racer from Ice Yachts: 56 feet of pure athleticism without sacrificing comfort.

A sailboat capable of tackling regattas with determination, yet also able to offer the owner and guests the comfort needed for long cruises. That is the philosophy behind the new ICE 56ST, the latest model announced by Ice Yachts, which completes its ST range. The project is signed by Felci Yachts Design and draws on the experience the Italian shipyard has gained building high-performance sailing yachts. Yacht Digest is able to exclusively show the first photos of the boat under construction at the yard.

The starting point is the ICE 56 Suite, whose sporting character and livability the new model develops further. The goal is to create a versatile boat that can adapt to different sailing programs without forcing the owner to choose between racing and cruising. The result is a yacht that focuses on lightness, on sail plan efficiency and on particularly careful construction, while paying just as much attention to the quality of the interior spaces.

The new ICE 56ST is a true super racer packed into 56 feet, where the pursuit of performance has been matched by in-depth work on comfort. It is a combination found as much in the structural choices as in the layout of the spaces and the equipment planned on board.

A design inspired by the maxi ICE 80, with more natural light

The first thing that strikes you when looking at the new ICE 56ST is its sleek, sporty exterior profile, which picks up some of the styling cues introduced on the MAXI ICE 80. The coachroof keeps a low, dynamic profile, consistent with the boat’s performance-oriented character, but features a larger glazed surface. This design choice also has a significant effect belowdecks, where the new windows allow natural light to reach the interior spaces and offer a wider view of the horizon. The goal is to improve the perception of space without compromising the elegance of the exterior lines.

Another defining feature is the maximum beam of 5.10 meters, which helps create generous volumes and allows the cockpit to be laid out in a particularly functional way. The width is an advantage above all when living at anchor, when the outdoor spaces become the center of socializing. The design of the new ICE 56ST therefore seeks a balance between two apparently conflicting requirements: maintaining a sporty approach while providing livable, bright and comfortable spaces.

A cockpit on a 5.10-meter beam, convertible into a sunbathing area

On the new ICE 56ST, the cockpit has been designed to adapt to the different ways the boat is used. During performance sailing it must guarantee freedom of movement and a functional layout for sail handling. When cruising, on the other hand, it can become a space devoted to socializing and relaxing. To meet both needs, Ice Yachts offers, on request, a system with two electrically height-adjustable tables. This solution makes it possible to change the cockpit configuration and create large sunbathing areas, especially useful during stops at anchor.

The convertibility of the furnishings makes better use of the available space, avoiding the permanent assignment of part of the deck to a single function. The generous width of the hull also helps create an outdoor environment that, according to the yard, offers livability comparable to that of larger yachts. The result is a cockpit designed to serve the owner both on race days and during relaxing moments with family and friends.

ICE 56ST, advanced construction and maximum attention to soundproofing

One of the most interesting aspects of the project concerns the work done to improve acoustic comfort without penalizing performance. On a sporty sailboat, in fact, weight reduction is a fundamental objective. The addition of insulating materials and anti-vibration systems must therefore be carefully evaluated to avoid excessive increases in displacement.

For the new ICE 56ST, the yard has developed a series of specific solutions, starting with the use of silent blocks on all components where it is technically possible to fit them. These elements serve to limit the transmission of vibrations to the surrounding structures, helping to improve quality of life on board.

This choice is complemented by the use of additional ultralight soundproofing materials, selected to deliver a high level of sound insulation with only a modest weight increase. The focus is therefore not only on sailing performance but also on perceived quality while underway and at anchor.

Ice Yachts aims to reduce noise, vibrations and creaking, with the ambition of bringing the comfort of the new 56ST closer to that of boats in a higher class. It is an approach that is particularly appealing to owners who want to take part in regattas without giving up using the same boat for multi-day cruises.

Refined interiors, three cabins and an open-plan dinette

The interior arrangement also reflects the dual character of the new ICE 56ST. The layout includes three cabins and two bathrooms, with spaces designed to offer privacy and comfort while cruising.

The living area is organized around an open-plan dinette, characterized by a spacious, bright environment. The galley is located forward, a solution already adopted by Ice Yachts on other models in its range, including ICE 62, Targa, ICE 66 and ICE 80. This arrangement allows the living area to be laid out functionally, encouraging socializing and enhancing the perception of space. The larger glazed surface of the coachroof helps make the space particularly bright, strengthening the visual connection with the sea.

The attention paid to the quality of the materials and finishes is another central element of the project. The yard developed the interiors with the aim of offering a level of refinement consistent with the brand’s positioning, without losing sight of the needs of a sporty boat.

An interesting feature is the presence of tilting berths in the dinette, designed to increase the flexibility of the spaces and meet the needs of sailing. In this way, the new ICE 56ST aims to offer welcoming spaces while cruising, while maintaining the practicality required on the most demanding outings.

Carbon fiber mast and oversized bowsprit: the sporty DNA of the ICE 56ST

While the interiors favor comfort and refinement, the sail plan and technical solutions confirm the new model’s sporty character. The ICE 56ST comes with a carbon fiber rig as standard, which contributes to the pursuit of lightness and to the overall efficiency of the equipment. Reducing weight aloft is an important advantage for a high-performance sailboat, because it helps limit the heeling moment and improve the boat’s dynamic behavior.

The design also includes a notably oversized bowsprit, intended to make the most of the sail plan’s potential and the use of headsails. Another technical feature is the CNC-machined bulb, which makes it possible to achieve precise geometries consistent with the design specifications. These features are part of an overall pursuit of lightness, one of the key factors in achieving high sailing performance.

The design challenge lies in reconciling these solutions with the cruising-oriented fit-out, while maintaining a balance between speed, handling and comfort. It is precisely on this compromise that the identity of the new ICE 56ST is built, designed for owners who do not want to give up the thrills of performance sailing.

Engine options up to 110 horsepower and a garage for a 3.05-meter tender

The versatility of the new ICE 56ST extends to its auxiliary propulsion as well. The yard offers several engine options, starting with a unit rated at 75 horsepower with a saildrive, up to a configuration rated at 110 horsepower with a shaft drive. This choice makes it possible to tailor the boat to the owner’s needs and the intended sailing program. The availability of a more powerful engine can be especially appealing for those undertaking demanding passages or offshore cruises, where the efficiency of the auxiliary propulsion plays an important role.

Another significant feature is the large stern garage, designed to hold a tender up to 3.05 meters long. The compartment can also be accessed through the opening swim platform, a solution that makes handling the tender easier and improves the usability of the stern area. A dedicated garage also helps keep the deck tidier, avoiding permanently taking up outdoor space with the tender. It is a feature that further strengthens the new ICE 56ST’s cruising aptitude without compromising the sporty character of the design.

Felci Yachts Design: “Sportiness and maneuverability without compromise”

The new ICE 56ST is the product of a design effort that sought to interpret the needs of owners who care as much about performance as about quality of life on board. The philosophy behind the project is explained by the studio Felci Yachts Design itself, which drew the lines of the new boat: “ICE 56ST is the result of careful research into the evolving expectations of the most demanding owners. We wanted to maintain the sportiness and handling that distinguish every Ice Yachts boat, without compromising build quality. ICE 56ST is the perfect synthesis of performance and comfort, a new benchmark for those looking for an exclusive, cutting-edge boat.”

The project fits fully within the tradition of Ice Yachts, which has built its reputation on boats characterized by advanced technical solutions, attention to materials and the pursuit of performance.

The first boat is already under construction

The first boat of the model is already in an advanced stage of construction at the yard’s own facilities. The boat corresponds to hull number four of the ICE 56 series, a detail that confirms the project’s continuity with the platform the yard has already developed.

The new ST version introduces a series of upgrades affecting the styling as well as the layout of the spaces, acoustic comfort and the equipment designed for performance sailing.

ICE 56ST – Technical specifications

Sources and references

ICE 56ST – FAQ